Interested in becoming a radiologic technologist? Our two-year associate in applied science degree prepares you to perform diagnostic X-ray examinations for patients in hospitals, imaging centers, physicians' offices and other health-related institutions. As a radiologic technologist, you’ll be a member of the healthcare team, working directly with the patient and the physician, accurately positioning patients, manipulating X-ray equipment and ensuring a high-quality diagnostic image is produced.
You’d use X-ray equipment to create images of organs, bones and blood vessels of the body. Rad techs are educated in anatomy, patient positioning, radiographic techniques, equipment protocols, radiation safety, radiation protection and basic patient care.
Get advanced certificates.
Once you complete the radiologic technology program, you can enroll in the following advanced certificate programs:
Admission requirements
This is a limited-enrollment program, which means you must apply to be considered for admission.
RAD tech jobs
With life expectancy increasing, the demands of an aging population increase the need for healthcare providers. The employment of radiologic technologists is expected to increase by about 18% from 2018 to 2028 — faster than the average for all occupations.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Working conditions
Radiologic technologists may work in a variety of healthcare facilities, although most are employed in hospitals or imaging centers. Technologists typically work 40-hour weeks that may include evening, weekend or on-call hours dependent upon their employment setting. They provide direct patient care and must be able to obtain the knowledge (cognitive function), skills (psychomotor function) and demonstrate professionalism (affective function).
Physical stamina is important in diagnostic imaging because technologists are on their feet for long periods of time and may be required to lift or turn disabled patients. Refer to the Essential Skills & Abilities of a Radiologic Technologist to determine if you’re able to meet these functions with or without reasonable accommodations.
For more information regarding careers in radiologic technology:
American Society of Radiologic Technologists
15000 Central Ave. SE
Albuquerque, NM 87123-3909
800.444.2778
Licensure
Graduates are eligible to apply to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) examination for certification in Radiography-RT(R). This certification is nationally recognized and enables you to pursue state licensure and employment throughout the United States. To be eligible for A.R.R.T. certification, you must be of good moral character. If you have questions regarding qualifications for candidate eligibility for A.R.R.T. certification and/or Illinois licensure contact:
The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists
1255 Northland Drive
St. Paul, MN 55120-1155
651.687.0048
IEMA, Division of Nuclear Safety
1035 Outer Park Drive
Springfield, IL 62704
217.785.9900
For questions regarding eligibility for state licensure, contact:
Illinois Emergency Management Agency
Division of Nuclear Safety — Paul Brown
1038 Outer Park Drive
Springfield, IL 62704
217.785.9900
Iowa Department of Public Health
Bureau of Radiological Health
Lucas State Office Bldg., 5th Floor
321 E. 12th St.
Des Moines, IA 50319
515.281.3478
Professional licensure disclosures
Postsecondary institutions participating in federal student aid programs are required to make certain disclosures to enrolled and prospective students, parents, employees and the public. The U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (34 §C.F.R. 668.43) requires disclosures by institutions regarding educational requirements for programs leading to professional licensure or certification regardless of modality. The institution must make readily available to enrolled and prospective students information about whether programs leading to professional licensure or certification meet educational requirements.
View licensure information by state for dental hygiene, medical imaging programs, medical assisting and mortuary science. If Sandburg hasn’t determined whether a program meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification outside the state of Illinois, contact the licensing entity to determine whether it meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification in the state you live or work.
Email the dean of health professions with questions.
Sample course schedule
This is a sample class schedule, which is subject to change.
Summer semester — eight weeks
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|
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
|
8-9:40 a.m. |
ALH 105 |
RDT.101 |
|
RDT.101 |
|
|
10-11:40 a.m. |
ALH.C105 |
|
|
|
|
|
12-1:40 p.m. |
|
RDT.C101 |
|
RDT.C101 |
CPR.C01 |
|
2-4:40 p.m. |
|
RDT.100 |
|
RDT.100 |
CPR.C01 |
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4:40-5:00 p.m. |
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|
|
|
CPR.C01 |
CPR.C01 meets from noon-5 p.m.
Fall Semester — 16 weeks
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Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
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7:30-8 a.m. |
|
RDT.115 |
|
RDT.115 |
|
|
8-9:20 a.m. |
RDT.111 |
RDT.115 |
RDT.111 |
RDT.115 |
|
|
9:30 -10:40 a.m. |
RDT.110 |
RDT.115 |
RDT.110 |
RDT.115 |
|
|
12:40-2 p.m. |
RDT.111 |
RDT.115 |
RDT.111 |
RDT.115 |
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|
2-4 p.m. |
|
RDT.115 |
|
RDT.115 |
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|
Online |
ENG.101 |
||||
RDT.115 Internships and clinical obligations are scheduled from 7:30 AM until 4 PM in Galesburg and assorted regional sites.
Spring semester — 16 weeks
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|
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
|
7:30-8 a.m. |
|
RDT.125 |
|
RDT.125 |
|
|
8-9:20 a.m. |
RDT.121 |
RDT.125 |
RDT.121 |
RDT.125 |
|
|
11-12:20 p.m. |
RDT.LAB.121 |
RDT.125 |
RDT.LAB.121 |
RDT.125 |
|
|
12:40-2 p.m. |
RDT.120 |
RDT.125 |
RDT.120 |
RDT.125 |
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|
2:20-3:30 p.m. |
RDT.123 |
RDT.125 |
RDT.123 |
RDT.125 |
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|
3:30-4 p.m. |
|
RDT.125 |
|
RDT.125 |
|
|
Online |
SOC.203 |
||||
RDT.125 Internships and clinical obligations are scheduled from 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. in Galesburg and assorted regional sites.
Summer semester — eight weeks
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|
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
|
7:30-9 a.m. |
RDT.205 |
RDT.205 |
|
RDT.205 |
RDT.205 |
RDT.205 |
|
9-10:40 a.m. |
RDT.205 |
RDT.205 |
RDT.201 |
RDT.205 |
RDT.205 |
RDT.205 |
|
11-12:10 p.m. |
RDT.205 |
RDT.205 |
RDT.201 |
RDT.205 |
RDT.205 |
RDT.205 |
|
12:30-1:40 p.m. |
RDT.205 |
RDT.205 |
RDT.201 |
RDT.205 |
RDT.205 |
RDT.205 |
|
1:40-4 p.m. |
RDT.205 |
RDT.205 |
|
RDT.205 |
RDT.205 |
RDT.205 |
RDT.205 Internships and clinical obligations are scheduled from 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. in Galesburg and assorted regional sites.
SECOND YEAR: Fall semester — 16 weeks
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|
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
|
7:30-9 a.m. |
RDT.215 |
|
RDT.215 |
|
RDT.215 |
|
9-10:20 a.m. |
RDT.215 |
RDT.212 |
RDT.215 |
RDT.212 |
RDT.215 |
|
10:30-11:20 a.m. |
RDT.215 |
RDT.211 |
RDT.215 |
RDT.211 |
RDT.215 |
|
1-1:40 p.m. |
RDT.215 |
RDT.215 |
RDT.215 |
RDT.215 |
RDT.215 |
|
1:40-4 p.m. |
RDT.215 |
|
RDT.215 |
|
RDT.215 |
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Online |
PHL.103 |
||||
RDT.215 Internships and clinical obligations are scheduled from 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. in Galesburg and assorted regional sites.
Spring semester — 16 weeks
|
|
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
|
7:30-8 a.m. |
RDT.225 |
|
RDT.225 |
|
RDT.225 |
|
8-9:40 a.m. |
RDT.225 |
RDT.222 |
RDT.225 |
RDT.222 |
RDT.225 |
|
10-11:40 a.m. |
RDT.225 |
RDT.220 |
RDT.225 |
RDT.220 |
RDT.225 |
|
1-2:15 p.m. |
RDT.225 |
SPE.120/110 |
RDT.225 |
SPE.120/110 |
RDT.225 |
|
2:15-4 p.m. |
RDT.225 |
|
RDT.225 |
|
RDT.225 |
RDT.225 Internships and clinical obligations are scheduled from 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. in Galesburg and assorted regional sites.
NOTE: You can complete ENG.101, PHL.103, SOC.203 and SPE 110/120 before entering the program. Contact a Sandburg advisor for more information.
Program total: 71 credit hours
Course info
Class formats
This program offers both online and face-to-face class options; however, the program can’t be completed entirely online.
Sandburg offers courses in a variety of formats to best fit your needs. Regardless of the format, make sure you have access to a reliable computer with high-speed internet. All courses use online resources and require you to access course information through mySandburg. The Galesburg and Carthage campuses have open computer labs for your use as a student.
Estimated costs
The cost for this 71 credit-hour course is approximately $18,036.75.
Financial aid, grants & scholarships
Learn how you can take advantage of financial aid, grants and scholarships available to Sandburg students.
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) helps job seekers access employment, education, training, and support services to succeed in the labor market and to match employers with the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy. Learn more, and complete this form to determine your eligibility.
Career and technical programs/courses follow our equal opportunity & non-discrimination statement [link to 11.4.10]. For more information, email the Title IX coordinator, or call 309.341.5258 or the ADA/504 coordinator at 309.341.5262.